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Estimation of OD matrix in TIA project with TransCAD

Conference Paper  in  Applied Mechanics and Materials · January 2014

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.505-506.1211

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Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 505-506 (2014) pp 1211-1214
© (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.505-506.1211

Estimation of OD Matrix in TIA Project with TransCAD

Linchao Lia, Yonggang Wangb
School of Highway, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
a
1045650765@qq.com, bwangyg@chd.edu.cn

Key words: OD matrix estimation; TIA; Precision; Feasibility

Abstract: The primary purpose of this research is to estimate the OD matrix using TransCAD
software. The total process is divided into four steps: 1) traffic volume survey during peak hours; 2)
network flow forecast for planning period; 3) trip production and distribution forecast over roadway
networks; 4) traffic volume assignment. This proposed method is used in a TIA project of
commercial building at Handan, China, which verifies its effectiveness.

Introduction
Origin-Destination (OD) matrix is a matrix that shows the distribution of OD pairs in the
transportation network trips, which provides the passengers’ traveling messages where their
journeys start and where they end. Therefore, OD matrix plays an important role in planning of
transportation system. In the previous reports, several studies have been done to determine the OD
matrix, such as references [1] and [2].
Generally, OD estimation techniques are based on a statistically sufficient sample of traffic
counts, such as home interview survey, roadside interview and license plate method. But these
surveys are often impossible to conduct due to financial constraints. In addition, in present China
the continuous urbanization process is still attracting people to cities, and the mode of land use and
distribution of roadway network change with years. In consequence, the OD data obtained become
obsolete.
From 1970s plenty of researches have been carried out to estimate the old/sampled OD matrix
using the current traffic counts collected from the newest transportation system [3], in which the
model can be classified as static and dynamic according to its use of data. With the development of
data processing techniques, some software have been designed to estimate the OD matrix, but their
coded algorithms are not always flexible with respect to different types of data [4]; therefore, the
reliable OD estimation approach is still under efforts. TransCAD is a typical software widely used
in the travel demand forecast and analysis and thus this research proposes an OD estimation
technique through TransCAD.

OD Estimation Procedure
Mathematical model. Let’s Set Va is the flow of link a, Tij is the resident trips between areas i and
j, and R ija is the proportion of link a in Tij, then it reaches:

V a = ∑ T ij R ij , for any 0 ≤ R ij ≤ 1
a a
(1)
ij

TransCAD estimation process. In real application, OD matrix is easily obtained by the

distribution of flows among the targeted roadway network, as indicated by Eq(1). Its solution is not
unique, however, due to the lack of counting data, and thus we generally determine an optimal
result among the set of solutions [5]. There are some methods now to solve this problem such as

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1212 Advances in Transportation

Gravity Method, Maximum Entropy Modeling, Maximum Likelihood Estimation and Bi-level
Programming Model [3, 5]. We propose the TransCAD based OD estimation process, as shown in
Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 OD matrix estimation process using TransCAD

Precision of OD matrix. Obviously, many factors can influence the efficiency of OD matrix,
such as origin matrix, number of link, choice of survey spot. In view of this concern, we proposed
the following principle of selecting survey zones:
a. Access to OD message. The survey link should provide enough basic data of constructing OD
matrix and then each OD pair can be assigned to link.
b. Access to maximum flow link. For any determined OD pair, it is available to load maximum
link of travel demand in network, because the link flow is proportional to the precision of estimated
OD matrix.
c. Access to more cutting routes for any OD pair. When the number of link is permanent, we
should choose the links associating with more OD pairs.
d. Access to independent links. In the network the link flow should be linearly independent. Also,
in order to get more OD pairs, one link flow in survey shouldn’t be calculated by other flow;
otherwise, this link should be deleted from the survey list.
Following the similar idea, selection of origin OD matrix can be expressed as:
a. Since the structure of origin OD affects the precision of estimation more significantly than its
size, the first concern is to construct a rational OD matrix.
b. When the origin OD matrix is close to the reality, the result will be more reliable.
c. If history data is unavailable, it has to use “Impedance-Logit” or “Impedance-Gravity” model
to estimate OD matrix, which creates more errors.

Application Example
Handan is a prefecture-level city located in the southwestern part of Hebei, China. As an ancient
city with more than 2000-year-old history, Handan has now been experiencing rapid economic and
 Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 505-506 1213

social development. Times Square and Financial Center is a large-scale commercial building at
intersection of Renmin Road and Zhonghua Street in Handan. Unfortunately, the diversity of land
uses around is great like shopping malls, schools, business centre, entertaining buildings, etc.
Therefore, the present traffic pressure is greater than other areas.
As requested by traffic policy, the traffic impact assessment project is undertaken to evaluation
the effects of its construction on roadway network around through measuring the level of
congestion of related roads and streets, in which travel demand forecast is a key point. In this study,
the forecast process is divided into four steps: 1) collecting the traffic volumes during peak hours by
survey; 2) forecasting the network flow in planning period; 3) forecasting trip production and
distribution over roadway networks with consideration of other traffic sources within influence area;
4) assigning the traffic counts to road network.
In order to make forecast conveniently, the total influence area is divided into 28 traffic zones,
as shown in Fig. 2a. Then the OD matrix is obtained using the coded estimation method in
TransCAD. The final traffic volume is assigned by Stochastic User Equilibrium method to roadway
network. Fig. 2b presents the assignment result.

a. division of traffic zone b) assignment of traffic volume

Fig. 2 Travel demand forecast by TransCAD
Traffic volume can be estimated through the main link, and the checking point we choose should
follow principle of selecting survey zones. Then we can get assigned traffic volume in TransCAD.
Comparing two different kinds of volume, it obtains the relative error. As Tab. 1 shows, the error is
controlled within 5%, an acceptable level.
Tab. 1 Traffic volume estimation errors of checking points
Checking Assigned traffic Estimated traffic Relative
point volume/(pcu·h-1) volume/(pcu·h-1) error/%
1 7521 7680 2.11
2 6332 6264 1.07
3 4983 5040 1.14
4 7087 7128 0.58
5 5734 5592 2.48
6 6881 7008 1.85
7 4222 4040 4.31
8 6258 6389 2.09
 1214 Advances in Transportation

Conclusion
OD matrix estimation method in TransCAD is very convenient. We can get OD matrix and assigned
traffic volume so we can analyze the influence of the project accurately. What’s more, it avoids
numerous OD survey and reduces cycle of TIA. The government will have enough time to evaluate
the feasibility of the project. If the project is allowed we can organize the traffic around the project
with the result. Also, it can save a lot of money. Above all, the forecast result is very reliable.

Acknowledgement
This research was supported by the Special Fund for the Basic Scientific Research of Central
Colleges, Chang’an University, China (No. CHD2012JC023).

References
[1] S. Baek, Y. Lim, S. Rhee, K. Choi. Method for estimating population OD matrix based on
probe vehicles. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 14(2): 231–235 (2010)
[2] M. Lorenzo, M. Matteo. OD matrices network estimation from link counts by neural networks.
Journal of Transportation Systems Engineering and Information Technology 13(4): 84–93 (2013)
[3] C. McGeoch, G. Rose. Using base year matrix estimation adjustments to update future year
OD matrices. Road and Transport Research 12(3): 16–28 (2003)
[4] M. A. Munizaga, C. Palma. Estimation of a disaggregate multimodal public transport
Origin-Destination matrix from passive smartcard data from Santiago, Chile. Transportation
Research Part C: Emerging Technologies 24: 9–18 (2012)
[5] R. Minguez, S. Sanchez-Cambronero, E. Castillo, P. Jimenez. Optimal traffic plate scanning
location for OD trip matrix and route estimation in road networks. Transportation Research Part B:
Methodological 44(2): 282–298 (2010)

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